Caring for ‘mega-diverse’ vacation spots with Human Nature’s eco-conscious beauty products

Summer is the perfect season for exploring the Philippines’ picturesque locales.

Home to an abundance of plant and animal species, the Philippines was listed by the United Nations Environment Programme as one of the world’s 18 “mega-diverse” countries. Mega-diverse countries contain two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and 70 to 80 percent of the world’s plant and animal species.

No matter where you spend your summer break, caring for the environment is a must. Let Human Nature’s green vacation guide help you protect the planet while you take a break: 

Get some reef-friendly sunscreen

The Philippines has 22,484 square kilometers of corals reefs. Our reefs make up 32 percent of the total area of the Great Coral Triangle and 9 percent of the world’s corals. Coral reefs are at risk of being damaged by a variety of sources – including the 14,000 tons of sunblock that wash off into the world’s oceans annually.

“Certain ingredients in sunblock can cause coral bleaching or irritate marine animals. Some tourist destinations ban sunblock for these reasons,” shared Anna Oposa, Co-Founder and Chief Mermaid of Save Philippine Seas. Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, for example, is supporting a ban on the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate on their island to help keep corals healthy.

Stay worry free as you enjoy the outdoors with Human Nature SafeProtect SPF 30 Sunscreen (P299.75, 50g; P649.75, 200g). Powered by natural actives like zinc oxide, coconut oil and sunflower oil, this broad spectrum sunscreen effectively protects the skin from skin-aging UVA rays (rated PA++++) and blocks up to 97% of skin-burning UVB rays with SPF 30. Unlike synthetic sunscreens that contain parabens and oxybenzone that can harm aquatic life and also pose health risks to humans, SafeProtect SPF 30 Sunscreen uses an all-natural and biodegradable formulation that is reef-friendly. If you’ve had too much sun exposure, use Sunflower Beauty Oil (P174.75, 50ml; P299.75, 100ml), to enjoy top to toe skin-soothing. 

Plastic’s not fantastic

Filling your toiletry kit with sachets of shampoos, lotions and soaps may seem more convenient but it comes at a steep price: tons of sachets end up as plastic waste in the ocean.

In 2015, the National Geographic reported that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean and over 269,000 tons floating on the surface. The estimate did not include plastic that does not float. Skip the sachet by using travel-sized bottles of shampoo and soap instead and fill them with biodegradable shampoos and soaps.

Human Nature Clarifying Shampoo (P149.75, 200ml; P319.75, 495ml) is best used after a day at the beach to remove sticky buildup from seawater.

 Keep your tresses soft, smooth and delicately fragrant on the go with Conditioning Hair Mist (P249.75, 100ml). Its water-based formula won’t weigh the hair down.

Bottom line: less disposable plastics mean less garbage going to our rivers and seas. Aside from ditching sachets, you can also bring your own water bottle and mess kit to reduce the amount of plastic utensils used during your trip.  Want to go even further? Get in touch with groups like The Plastic Solution (www.facebook.com/theplasticsolution) to find out how you can turn your non-biodegradable waste into ecobricks.

Join a club or go on a “volun-tour”. Be a green traveler by joining eco-conscious outdoor clubs. Reap the benefits of immersing yourself in nature while learning how to care for it.

Participating in house builds and coastal cleanups serve a dual purpose: you’re soaking up some sun and helping build a better Philippines. Volunteer at organizations like Gawad Kalinga (www.gk1world.com) to help build homes for poor communities or sign up for a socially-conscious tour with MAD Travel (www.madtravel.org). 

Keep your cool

Going on a hike or a long walk on the beach? Use Human Nature Deodorizing Foot Spray (P149.75, 100ml) to keep your feet cool and fresh as you explore.

Travelling can also leave the skin on your hands and the soles of your feet cracked and dry – moisturize while on the move with Hand & Foot Salve in Eucalyptus (P129.75, 30g). Its travel-friendly size makes it the perfect companion for long flights.  

After a whole day of activities, invigorate tired legs, back and shoulders with Human Nature Cooling Leg & Body Cream (P395, 100ml).

A refreshing blend of eucalyptus, peppermint and bergamot – this cooling cream is a great pick me up after a long day on the road. For a refreshing foot soak, add a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil (P295, 30ml) to a basin of warm water & soak feet for 10-15 minutes. 

Switch to Goodness

This year, Human Nature is making it even easier for consumers to make greener choices with the launch of “Switch to Goodness”. The initiative helps users choose a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle: from a series of 21-day green challenges to offering big discounts when you switch from a synthetic brand. 

To enjoy the Switch to Goodness discount, surrender a clean and empty container of a synthetic counterpart of the featured product at any Human Nature branch. Log on to www.humanheartnature.com/switchtogoodness for more details or visit http://humanheartnature.com/branches to find a Human Nature store near you.